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The Australian bold policy to ban social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Trend

In Europe, a rising number of states are considering comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and apps are "taking away our youngsters' youth". Legislation could be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "a potential tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has asked the legislature to approve a law lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a advisory statement calling for a ban for minors without guardian approval is provided. Although it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the move does not establish binding law.

"An effective age limit is a good first step," commented one European lawmaker driving the initiative.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a future ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "based on conclusive data".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. However, the administration committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. An organization set up by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after encountering harmful online content argues that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for young users," commented a influential peer.

The United States: A Fragmented Approach

Across America, action is largely happening at the regional level due to national stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has signed a bill prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a rule restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra time needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted bills requiring guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from various politicians to copy the Australian lead, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Outside of Europe and the US, other nations are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.

However, global organizations take a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might backfire". The body points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in safety.

As this international conversation continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries show that states around the world are no longer willing to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.